Rockets Acquire Josh Smith from Clippers

The Clippers will send cash to cover the remaining $460,000 on Smith’s $1.4 million minimum salary this season and the draft rights to Sergei Lishouk. Houston sends the Clippers the rights to Maarty Leunen. Neither player is expected to play in the NBA.

Smith previously played for the Rockets last season, averaging 12 points and 6 rebounds per game. He signed this offseason with the Clippers for the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million for one year.

The forward reportedly chose the Clippers — potentially giving up more money elsewhere — to maximize his chances of winning. (The Pistons are also paying him $5.4 million this season as part of a long-term deal he signed with Detroit before they waived him in 2013.) But it hasn't worked out for Smith in L.A., averaging just 5.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

Before stints in Detroit, Houston, and L.A., Smith played for nine seasons in Atlanta with the Hawks.